PALM COAST
Gibbs, Nina
Coast City Council: Ty Miller, Charles Gambaro, Mayor Mike Norris, Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri and Ray Stevens. Photo by Sierra
Foundation’s 14th annual JDC Gala PAGE 1B
CITY WATCH
Palm Coast staff is developing a new app for city
Palm Coast is developing a new mobile application.
A short survey is at bit. ly/palmcoastcema through Dec. 10. Residents’ input will help shape the app, which is intended to make accessing city services, updates, and resources easier than ever, according to a city press release.
The survey — which is being developed in-house by the city’s IT Department — has questions about what features residents would find most useful, what information is regularly searched for on the city’s website and other feedback, the press release said. The city’s IT Department will analyze the data from the survey. The initiative is led by the city’s Leadership Intern Training Experience Team, a group of staff members from various departments who work directly with the city manager for one year on a major project, the press release said. The app is the group’s 2025 project.
Utility director fired for ‘aggressive’ behavior
Palm Coast’s utility director was fired after just five months for yelling at and being demeaning to subordinates. Amanda Rees’ termination comes as the city is facing a decree from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade its Wastewater Treatment Facility 1 by 2028.
This is the second time in 2024 that Palm Coast is without a utility director. Rees was hired on as the director in June, replacing former Director Steve Flanagan who stepped down into a smaller management role in March in preparation for his retirement.
The city has a standard six-month probationary period for new employees, or one year for its firefighters, during which time they are evaluated, according to city documents sent to the Observer. Though a condition of the probationary period is that employees can be fired at any time within the probationary period without cause, city administration had received multiple complaints that Rees had “addressed utility staff in an aggressive and inappropriate manner” during her reign, the documents stated.
Rees was fired from the position on Nov. 14, effective that day.
The complaints included yelling at employees, using a demeaning tone and discussing an employee’s performance with that employee’s peers or subordinates, the documents stated.
Rees received a written warning over the behavior on Sept. 30 from acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and Human Resource Manager Renina Fuller, which Rees refused to sign. The report states that “such behavior does not align with our standards of professional conduct and mutual respect in the workplace.”
“It is important that all employees, regardless of position, are treated with dignity and courtesy,” the writeup stated. “As leaders in our organization, it is essential to set a positive example and foster a respectful and productive work environment.”
Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said the city does not want that
behavior in the “culture of our organization.”
“We’re trying to have our employees deliver exceptional service by making citizens our priority. We want to give them the same experience that we want them to give to our residents,” Johnston said. “So it’s really important that we have a strong culture and appreciation of our employees and in our workforce.”
Communications Director Brittany Kershaw said in an email that the decision was made based on Rees’ performance. In the meantime, Deputy Director Pete Roussell will fill in.
“We remain focused on ensuring the highest level of service for our community and will provide updates as we move forward with leadership in this department,” Kershaw wrote.
Rees’ termination comes as the city is facing a decree from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade its Wastewater Treatment Facility 1 by 2028. The plant — which serves the bulk of Palm Coast’s wastewater treatment needs — is permitted by the FDEP to treat 6.83 million gallons per day but has averaged at or higher than that allotted amount of water flow in at least four of the last 12 months, according to an October presentation to Palm Coast’s City Council.
Because of that, the FDEP issued a consent decree — a legal document formalizing the city’s plan to increase its wastewater treatment capacity — to the city to address its overflow by expanding the plant.
Johnston said that the agreement
is still being discussed by both the FDEP and city attorneys, but Rees’ termination and the open director position shouldn’t slow down the process.
“We haven’t finalized the agreement yet,” she said, “but I don’t forecast it being too much longer.”
Once the agreement is finalized, the attorneys will recommend who should sign, which may not necessarily include a utility director. Once the consent decree is signed, the next step is designing the expansion project, which will be led by city engineer Alex Blake.
The city is in the process of designing the upgrades for the Wastewater Treatment Plant 1, built in 1973, as well as undergoing a gap-rate analysis to figure out the necessary funding for the upgrades to the plant. Johnston said she expects the gap-rate analysis to be completed by January or February and design for the upgrades to be completed by late spring or early summer.
Current users will contribute to 40% of the project’s funding while 60% of the funding will come from the impact fees garnered by growth, Johnston said. If growth slows down, residents will have to pay more to offset the cost.
“While we’re expanding the plant’s capacity, we’re also changing the design of how the facility treats the wastewater, and that’s what’s making the cost so high,” she said.
“We we have to do it to face future regulations, and we have to do it to meet the current capacity demand.”
City
business meetings on evenings only?
Palm Coast’s new City Council is ready to make changes after just their first meeting, starting with the meeting times.
Council member Ray Stevens proposed that the council move both monthly business meetings to 6 p.m., though it received mixed responses from fellow council members. He also suggested the council begin proclamations at 5:30 p.m., to save time during the meeting’s regular agenda, which received universal support from the other council members. But changing the meeting times is more complex than just having one majority vote.
The city has an ordinance that states the schedule of the city’s business meetings, the meetings in which the council actually votes on agenda items. Currently, business meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month, and 9 a.m. on the third Tuesday.
To change the meeting times, the city attorney will need to draft a new ordinance, and the council will need to publicize, read and vote on the ordinance twice before it can be adopted.
Council member Ty Miller and Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri both pointed out that have a morning business meeting means that people who work at night have a meeting they could attend. Workshop meetings are dictated by a resolution, not an ordinance, and can be more easily changed than an ordinance.
Because of the more complex process, Stevens withdrew his motion. Instead, the council will review the city’s meeting policies and procedures at an upcoming workshop.
Former Palm Coast Utility Director Amanda Rees (right) was fired on Nov. 14 for “aggressive and inappropriate” behavior. Video screenshot
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
With new council in place, search for new manager begins
‘It’s about a threemonth timeline from the time you say “go.”’
SIERRA
WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
By February, the Palm Coast City Council could be interviewing candidates for its new city manager.
The application for the position will likely open on Friday, Nov. 22, search firm SGR’s Doug Thomas said, after the firm finalizes some changes to the application. From there, the application will be closed to new applicants on Dec. 26.
“It’s about a three-month timeline from the time you say ‘go,’” Thomas said. Thomas is the executive vice president
of recruiting and leadership development at SGR.
Palm Coast is in the market for a new city manager after the council fired its previous city manager, Denise Bevan, last March. Lauren Johnston is filling the position until a new city manager is chosen.
Thomas presented a draft of the application brochure to the council for approval on Nov. 19. Thomas had interviewed each City Council member about what they wanted to see from a city manager and then compiled that information into the brochure created for the position application.
According to the brochure, the council is looking for someone who has experience with growth management, infrastructure challenges, project management, economic development and more.
The timeline Thomas presented to the council places SGR meeting with the first applicants in early January, narrowing down the applicant pool based on the information given to SGR from the council on what Palm Coast needs in a city manager.
While keeping in communication with the council throughout the process, SGR will narrow the applicants to semifinalists by the end of January, beginning media background checks and assessments.
The final applicants will be chosen by mid-February and
will then interview with the City Council in both a oneon-one setting and during a council meeting.
While the tentative timeline is in place, it is by no means locked in. Thomas said he would be keeping the council updated about the quality and number of applicants, and if need be, the council can decide to extend the application window or even reopen it down the line, if none of the candidates are a right fit.
Pontieri said she felt that there was no reason to rush the process — instead SGR and the council should just focus on finding the individual that fits Palm Coast’s needs the best.
“Just find us our unicorn,” Pontieri told Thomas.
In an interview with the Observer , Pontieri said she thinks it is important the search “casts a wide net” and not preclude anyone from applying. She said she wants a city manager with a degree in something similar to public administration, has experience in a high-up position in a city or county and experience with a large budget, land use policy and infrastructure challenges.
While Thomas did discuss the city manager position with city staff, Pontieri said she’d like to keep the “fox from guarding the hen house” when it comes to choosing a new city manager.
“I think that staff should
be largely hands off with the picking of their new boss,” Pontieri said. “I think it’s important that City Council pick a city manager that they’re confident will be able to carry out their policy.”
The qualities the council is looking for in a candidate could cost more than the city has paid a city manager in the past, though. Comparing Palm Coast to nearby cities of a similar size, most of the cities pay their city managers between $200,000$290,000, according to meeting documents. Johnston has a salary of $189,000.
While Thomas said the city could expect to pay a qualified city manager in the $200,000-$245,000 range, not including a benefits package, he recommended that the city leave out the pay range from the application.
That, he said, would weed out some candidates on its own.
Council member Charles Gambaro Jr. said his discussion with Thomas was productive. He said he’s looking for someone who can help bring jobs to Palm Coast, understands land-use policy and what it means for the city’s future when the council acts on an item.
A strong candidate should also be able to synthesize “a ton of information in a very short amount of time,” he said. Gambaro also said one of his key priorities was that the
council does not hire someone who had been fired from positions frequently within the several years.
“I want to see city managers with a proven track record they can work with different administrations and councils over time to drive positive change,” he said.
Thomas pointed out the national average tenure of a city manager is five to seven years, which can in part be attributed to political reasonings: A new council could be sworn in and decide it doesn’t work well with that manager and replace them.
With the chaos of Palm Coast’s political stage over the last year — a distrust in council members, the immediate and sudden firing of City Manager Denise Bevan in the spring and the replacement of four of five council members — Thomas told the Observer that this could present a problem for some applicants.
“The fact that you [the city] have had turnover in this position represents a bit of a challenge,” he said. “There are some managers that are very risk averse, and they’re not going to apply to a position where there’s been turnover.”
Other candidates recognize that the political aspect is part of the job, he said, and accept that as a challenge.
“Those are the type of candidates we’re trying to find for this position,” Thomas said.
County Commission and Palm Coast City Council sworn in
County leadership: Dance and Pennington unanimously reelected as chair and vice chair. City: Pontieri is vice mayor
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
To loud applause, the new Palm Coast City Council and Flagler County Commission members have been sworn in to office, in separate meetings this week.
In Palm Coast, Mayor Mike Norris and City Council members Ty Miller and Ray Stevens took their respective seats on Nov. 19 after the swearing in ceremony. The first order of business was to elect a vice mayor.
Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri — the council’s most senior member, who was elected to office in 2022 — was elected as vice mayor in a 3-2 vote, with council members Miller and Charles Gambaro voting against.
Residents, however, almost wholly in support of Pontieri’s appointment as vice mayor.
“Miss Pontieri certainly has demonstrated her willingness, her steadfastness, her patience and her stability in
a lot of difficult situations,”
resident Ed Fuller said. More residents echoed his com -
ments.
At the Flagler County Commission meeting held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19, the chair and vice chair positions were chosen without opposition. The newly elected commissioners Pam Richardson and Kim Carney were sworn in for the first time and commissioner Andy Dance took his oath again for the second time.
The board unanimously elected both Dance and commissioner Leann Pennington to continue in the chair and vice chair positions.
“I do want to thank the commissioners,” Dance said.
“The importance of being back-to-back chair is not lost on me. It is rare, and I just want to say that I think we’ve done great work, and I look forward to continuing to lead us as we make positive change here in Flagler County.”
At the beginning of City Council meeting, former Mayor David Alfin opened the meeting for the last time alongside former Vice Mayor Ed Danko. Before stepping down, Alfin said in his closing remarks that Palm Coast is in
Inmate made plans for a murder while in jail, Flagler Sheriff says
A Palm Coast man is facing additional charges for ordering a gang-related murder while he was behind bars, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Jebea Johnson, 22, was already in custody at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility for several violent crime-related charges — including attempted robbery with a firearm, burglary, aggravated battery causing harm/disability and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — after he was arrested for attacking a convenience store clerk in June. On Nov. 15, Johnson was arrested again and is now facing two additional felony charges: solicitation to commit first-degree murder — gang related and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Johnson was and will continue to be held in jail with no bond.
The FCSO’s Homeland Security and Investigations Section became aware of several phone calls between Johnson and family members where Johnson “detailed gang activity and instructed a family member to relay a message through social media to place a hit on a victim who had been trying to leave the gang,” known as the Kutt Throat Committee, according to a FCSO press release. Based on terms known to be used by criminal street gangs, detectives confirmed Johnson was ordering the individual be killed.
During the investigation, detectives learned Johnson tried to recruit the victim in the prison and criminal street gang while both were inmates at the jail.
Palm Coast man indicted for firstdegree murder in overdose death
A Palm Coast man was indicted on first-degree murder charges on Nov. 14 in connection to the March overdose death of a 40-year-old man.
The indictment accuses Justin Maddox, 32, of Palm Coast, of unlawfully distributing fentanyl to Jeremy Kocorowski, leading to Kocorowski’s death, a Flagler Sheriff’s Office press release said. Kocorowski was found dead in an apartment on Bulldog Drive in March, which was later determined to be caused by a fentanyl overdose.
a very special place in time.
“At this juncture, our community has been honoring the fond memories of our past, we are living for today in the reality of our present, and we are anticipating tomorrow by planning for our future,” he said.
Alfin said he hopes the new council and the community will work together to safeguard the city’s past, present and future.
“As a new future begins today with our new mayor, Mr. Mike Norris, I am honored to hand over the gavel so we can begin the next journey that evolves together with ingenuity and pride,” he said.
“I thank you all. I wish you all good luck.”
In some of his first comments on the dais, Norris said he doesn’t want to be the person making the final decision, an idea he had talked about in his campaign.
“I will, but I shouldn’t have to,” Norris said. “The City Council should come to a consensus, and my vote should just be a foregone conclusion.”
FCSO detectives investigating the death identified Maddox as a person of interest and Maddox was later arrested for fentanyl trafficking and possession of cocaine and oxycodone, the press release said.
Maddox is not the first to be indicted on murder charges in an overdose death. In June, a Palm Coast man was indicted for the same charge after a two-year investigation by the FCSO. In 2022, Jevante Hamilton was convicted of manslaughter for his indictment in an overdose death, and another man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he pled guilty to second-degree murder in connection to an overdose death.
Sheriff Rick Staly had previously directed that all overdose deaths be investigated as a first degree homicide case to hold drug dealers accountable for their actions, the press release said.
“We will continue to investigate and hold poison peddlers accountable if they provide the deadly dose of illegal drugs and send them away to prison,” Staly said in a press release. “If you are a poison peddler and sell a fatal dose in Flagler County, we are coming for you next.”
Doug Thomas, of search firm
SGR. Photo by Sierra Williams
The 2024 Flagler County Commission: Pam Richardson, Kim Carney, Chair Andy Dance, Vice Chair Leann Pennington and Greg Hansen.
Photo by Sierra WilliamsStevens. Photos by Sierra Williams
Mayor Mike Norris takes his oath of office as former Mayor David Alfin looks on.
School Board welcomes three new members
The new board elected Will Furry to continue as board chair and Christy Chong to continue as vice chair.
Nov. 19
Derek Barrs, Lauren
Ramirez and Janie Ruddy were sworn in by Flagler County Judge Melissa Distler. Ramirez and Ruddy were elected in the Aug. 20 Primary Election.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Barrs to the board on Oct. 30 to complete Sally Hunt’s term. Hunt resigned on Sept. 20.
Barrs ran for the board’s District 3 seat, vacated by the retiring Colleen Conklin, but lost to Ruddy by just
which 24,812 ballots were cast. The new board’s first order of
business was to elect a chair and vice chair. Will Furry will continue to serve as the board’s chair for a second year, while Christy Chong will serve as vice chair for a second year. Chong nominated Furry to chair the board again, and with no other nominations, he was elected unanimously.
Furry then nominated Chong to be vice chair, while Ruddy nominated herself. Chong was elected by a 3-2 vote with Ruddy and Ramirez voting for Ruddy, and Barrs, Chong and Furry voting for Chong.
BRIEFS
Former Commissioner Joe Mullins to run for Rep. Mike Waltz’s congressional seat
Former Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins announced on a local radio show that he would run for Rep. Mike Waltz’ seat once Waltz resigns to become President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser.
Waltz, who was just reelected to Florida’s District 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives during the Nov. 5 election, was announced as Trump’s pick for the position on Nov. 11. On Nov. 15, during Flagler Broadcast Radio’s “Free For All Friday,” host David Ayres asked Mullins during a phone interview if Mullins was planning to run for the seat.
“I’m officially throwing my name in the hat. I’m very excited,” Mullins said. “I’m looking forward to fighting the battle and bringing a lot of money and a lot of new stuff back to our community and our area.”
Waltz was first elected to the District 6 seat in 2019, which represents the east Central Florida area, from Palm Coast to Daytona Beach to west to Ocala. In a statement posted to his Instagram account, Waltz wrote: “Together with President Trump and his team, we will confront the evolving challenges to today’s world and hold firm against those who would harm our way of life.”
When Waltz resigns, a special election would need to be held to fill the seat. Mullins said on the radio show that he “absolutely” was plan-
ning to run for the seat.
“If you think about it, this is the year of the comebacks,” Mullins said, referring to Trump’s victory in the presidential election.
Mullins was controversial figure on the commission and lost his 2022 reelection bid to Commissioner Leann Pennington.
Earlier that year, Mullins had told a Florida State Trooper “I run the county” when he was pulled over for speeding. During early voting in August 2022, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Flagler County library after an argument ensued between Mullins and a fellow commissioner’s wife. Mullins was also known for having used profane and controversial language during commission meetings and on social media.
“I never claimed to be perfect,” Mullins said. “But at the end of the day, I’ll work hard for my community, as I’ve always done.
During the show, Mullins also announced he was in the process of filing lawsuits against individuals and some media, including local news website FlaglerLive.com. Both he and his businesses had been “under attack,” he said.
He went on to say that one of his businesses was working on refinancing with a bank when someone began sending letters to the bank, telling them to look further into Mullins and referencing FlaglerLive’s articles on Mullins. Mullins claims it was “tortious interference” of a contract.
“We found out who did it. We know who’s done it, and we actually are about to file some lawsuits,” Mullins said. “We’re already in the process of doing it.”
Flagler County’s new School Board: Vice Chair Christy Chong, Chair Will Furry, Derek Barrs, Lauren Ramirez and Janie Ruddy. Photo by Brent Woronoff
according to commission meeting documents.
Flagler Beach declines to increase utility rates
Commissioner Mealy warned that the city could need to increase rates dramatically to pay for services if nothing is done.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Flagler Beach City Commission has declined to increase the city’s utility rates, despite shortfalls in expenses. The resolution proposed increasing the sanitation and water and sewage by 3.5%, for both the base rates and flow charges, while stormwater fees would increase from $14.58 to $20, or a 37.2% increase. On average, the proposed increases would have
increased a monthly residential bill within city limits by $8.76, according to commission meeting documents.
But the majority of the commission was not sold on the increases. Commissioner Jane Mealy motioned to approve the increases, but the motion did not receive a second, killing the proposal.
Mealy, who has served on the Flagler Beach Commission since 2006, said she remembers during the early years of her tenure, the commission passed on increasing the rates to keep up with cost of living increases until the city was forced to increase by a large margin all at once.
“I know it sounds really good: ‘let’s not raise the rates more than we really want to.’ Nobody wants to raise rates,” Mealy said. “I think we need to be careful, because we could
get caught up in that kind of scenario again.”
City Manager Dale Martin said Flagler Beach has already had to move funding from the general tax fund — some $60,000 in the 2024-2025 budget — to cover the sanitation costs of picking up public trash cans, which previously was not accounted for.
Even with the additional general tax funds though, the sanitation budget is still at a shortfall, Martin said. And according to meeting documents, just the water and sewer actual usage costs versus that of water and sewer operations shows a $1.1 million shortfall.
The water, sewer and sanitation fees were all proposed to increase at 3.5%, based on the percentage of change in the measure of inflation from 2023-2024 numbers, accord-
ing to the Florida Public Service Commission. Commissioners Eric Cooley and Rick Belhumeur had issues with the methodology of how the rate increases were decided. Instead of being based on cost of living or inflation, Cooley said.
“If sanitation costs X amount of dollars, then the rate we set should cover cost sanitation,” Cooley said.
Though the rate increase has died for now, Martin said the city has commissioned in the 2024-2025 budget for a consultant to come in and conduct a study on the city’s sanitation budget.
“To the best of my knowledge, you’ve never done a deep dive analysis of sanitation, revenues, expenses and progress, and that’s what we’re intending to do,” he said.
School Board moves meetings to 2nd, 4th Tuesdays
The board also approved a contract with David Delaney’s law firm, Weiss Serota.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Flagler County School Board will continue to meet on Tuesdays, but the board’s workshops and business meetings will now be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month instead of the first and third Tuesday when they have traditionally been held.
The board adopted the change at its Nov. 19 business meeting to accommodate board attorney David Delaney of the Weiss Serota firm. Delaney has been advising the board on a temporary basis since January when the board terminated the contract of attorney Kristy Gavin. Later in the Nov. 19 meeting, the board agreed to a contract with Weiss Serota through Dec. 31, 2025. The contract allows the board to terminate the agreement at any time with 30 days written notice following a majority decision by the full board.
The contract calls for the firm to be paid for legal ser-
WELLNESS SITE SELECTED
The Flagler County School Board selected the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club as the site for its Wellness Center. On July 23, the School Board approved a contract with Marathon Health to establish and operate a Wellness Center for employees of Flagler Schools. At its Nov. 19 meeting, the board chose the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club over two Class A office building sites in Town Center.
The office sites at City Centre at Town Center required rent totaling between $45,000 and $54,000 a year. Flagler Schools owns the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club.
All three sites would require a build-out cost of at least $400,000 with Marathon estimating the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club’s buildout to cost $475,000.
The school district no longer offers memberships at the club.
vices by a rate of $310 per hour for partners, $235 for associates and $115 for paralegals.
At the board’s Nov. 12 workshop, Delaney said the first and third Tuesday of the month conflicts with his prior commitments to other school districts. He suggested that the board switch its meetings to Wednesdays or the second and fourth Tuesdays. In that scenario, he would attend the agenda workshop virtually on the second Tuesday, and he would attend the business meeting in person on the fourth Tuesday.
With the board chambers unavailable on Wednesdays, the district presented the board with four options for its meetings for the next year: second and fourth Tuesdays, first and fourth Tuesdays, second and fourth Thursdays and the current first and third Tuesdays.
Derek Barrs and Chair Will Furry noted that it was important to have the attorney attend the business meetings in person. Janie Ruddy questioned why it was necessary to change the calendar to accommodate a contracted law firm when the new board has not made a longterm decision on legal services.
attorney it was more important to make sure all of the board members could be present for the meetings.
Delaney was not at the Nov. 19 meeting. Weiss Serota partner Milton R. Collins attended the meeting in his place.
2024-22 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA, ANNEXING BY VOLUNTARY PETITION CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TOTALING 0.23± ACRES LOCATED AT 325 OLD BRICK ROAD, BEARING PARCEL ID: 12-12-30-0650-000A0-0102 WHICH IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY OF BUNNELL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND OTHER CONTROLLING LAW; REDFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD THE ORIDNANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICE OF FLAGLER COUNTY AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND A MAP; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND THE TAKING OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on
Christy Chong said that as much as she likes the current
On average, the proposed increases would have increased a monthly residential bill within city limits by $8.76,
Photo by Sierra Williams
11-year-old Virginia boy sentenced in juvenile court for Flagler swatting calls
Pleading ‘no contest’ to 46 felony and misdemeanor charges, the boy will be placed in a high-risk program.
OBSERVER STAFF
The 11-year-old Virginia boy who was arrested in connection to Flagler County’s swatting calls in May has been sentenced to a high-risk juvenile program.
The 11-year-old, of Henrico County, Virginia, pled no contest to 46 felony and misdemeanor charges for the swatting calls — phone calls
BRIEFS
Human blood found in Bunnell park caused by ATV incident
The human blood found in a public restroom at the Daytona North Hidden Trails Park in Bunnell turned out to be from someone in an apparent ATV accident.
A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office communications officer said in an email on Nov. 15, that detectives located the source of the blood and determined that nobody was killed or severely injured. The FCSO is no longer seeking additional information about the incident.
On Nov. 11, deputies were conducting a security check at the park located at 6108 Mahogany Blvd. at 2:40 a.m. in response to “a suspicious incident,” according to an incident report filed by a FCSO deputy. The deputy found
about a fake bomb or shooting threat — that occurred between May 14 and 22 on Nov. 4. The charges were: 15 counts of felony false bomb report, 15 counts of felony unlawful use of a two-way communications device, 15 misdemeanor counts of disrupting a school function and one felony count of tampering with evidence. Flagler County Circuit Court Judge Melissa Distler adjudicated him delinquent and ordered the 11-year-old to be held at a Volusia County detention facility until he can be placed in a high-risk program, a Flagler Sheriff’s Office press release said. The boy is not only respon-
what appeared to be fresh blood smeared on the inside bathroom corridor leading to the women’s restroom. A live 9mm cartridge was on the floor outside the restroom.
Inside, deputies found more blood splatter on the walls, floor and trash can, with a “moderately sized pool of blood” near the sink, the report said. No one was inside the restroom nor did deputies find anything else of “obvious evidentiary value.”
The blood was later confirmed to be human but FCSO found no immediate leads as to where the blood came from, a FCSO press release sent on Nov. 14 said.
Volusia to help residents register for ParkVolusia
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, there will be a fee to park in countyowned and operated offbeach lots; however, residents registered with the ParkVolusia program will be exempt
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sible for the calls in Flagler County, but for swatting calls made in Volusia, Brevard, Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, too, as well as swatting calls made in seven other states and in Washington, D.C.
All of the calls made in Flagler County during that period are attributed to the 11-year-old, except one made by a 13-year-old, who was arrested in May.
FCSO investigators tracked the suspect to Virginia, where the boy was arrested in July by Virginia police. In interviews with investigators, the 11-year-old admitted to making the phone calls in Flagler County, some made in Volu-
from these charges. The locations of these lots may be found in the “Beach Parking” tab at www.parkvolusia.org.
Residents registered with the program are still subject to applicable fees at off-beach parking lots owned and operated by city governments.
The in-person registration events will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
Monday, Dec. 9 – Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St.
Tuesday, Dec. 10 – DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave.
Wednesday, Dec. 11 – Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway
Monday, Dec. 16 – New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway
Thursday, Dec. 19 – Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle
Residents need to present a valid ID and vehicle registration. Residents may also register online at www. parkvolusia.org,
sia County and a swatting call made to the Maryland State House. He also admitted to watching violent videos online: videos of animal torture, videos of decapitation and murder.
The 11-year-old also told investigators that every news media story about his calls was like “adding a trophy” to his online persona, Sheriff Rick Staly said during a July press conference.
The high-risk, in-custody program is expected to take between 12-18 months, depending on the boy’s progress, and includes counseling, mental health treatment, and continued education. When the program is completed, the
COPS CORNER
NOV. 4
RAWR
11 a.m. — 100 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Marchman Act. A 51-year-old Ormond Beach man told police that his name was “Deano the Dinosaur” after he refused to leave a local restaurant. The man was intoxicated, according to a police incident report. He could not provide his name or show officers his ID, and was unable to stand on his own. He was removed from the premises in an ambulance.
NOV. 5
UNWANTED VISITOR
8:26 a.m. — 1600 block of North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Burglary. A 70-year-old Ormond Beach woman woke up to an unexpected sight: A man was standing inside her room, holding her vacuum. The woman yelled at the man to get out three times before he acknowledged her, saying he was inside the room because it was left open and he wanted to see what was inside, according to the police incident report. The woman asked him to leave, and this time he complied, putting the vacuum back on the floor. She said to police that her door was propped open with a dolly because there was no air conditioning in the room. She wished to press charges.
boy will be allowed to return to Virginia “under conditional supervised release for a yetto-be-determined amount of time,” the press release said. He will have multiple restrictions placed on him, including the use of electronics and supervised access to the internet. Distler also ordered $46,234.33 in restitution to be paid to Flagler County Sheriff’s Office for the cost of the investigation and the responses to the schools from his calls, the press release said.
Staly said he hoped the sentencing and in-custody treatment sets the boy on the right path. In responding to his swatting calls, the FCSO spent
NOV. 8
UNDERCOVER OPERATION
7:53 p.m. — 1000 block fo North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Alcohol violation. Police issued a notice to appear in court to a 44-year-old local gas station clerk after he sold alcohol to a minor.
A 14-year-old teen, who was working as an operative with the local police department, grabbed a can of beer from a cooler and brought it to the front of the store to buy.
The clerk asked to see his ID, and the teen placed it on the counter. The clerk never inspected it, according to the police incident report, and continued with the sale.
The teen then turned the beer over to an undercover police detective who was waiting outside. The detective confronted the clerk and placed him under arrest. The clerk said that he chose an option on the register during the sale which allowed him to bypass manually entering the client’s date of birth. He was released on the scene.
NOV. 13
POWERLESS TENANT
10:34 p.m. — First block of Sycamore Street, Flagler Beach Battery, misuse 911. A Flagler Beach woman was arrested after she shoved her landlord who had unplugged the power to her RV.
The woman, 60, had missed several months of rent payments, according to an arrest report, so the landlord unplugged the power going to her RV from his property.
168 patrol hours responding to schools and the Homeland Security and Investigations Section, Cyber Crimes and Criminal Intelligence Unit, and Digital Forensics Unit spent 755 hours investigating the case, the press release said. “This kid terrorized our schools and the community for days at the end of last school year,” Staly said. “Let this case be a warning to anyone who thinks they can hide behind a computer screen — if you break the law in Flagler County, we will find you and arrest you, no matter where you are or how old you are.” Send news tips to sierra@ observerlocalnews.com.
The woman felt being without power for a short time was an emergency and repeatedly called 911 for Sheriff’s office deputies because of it. When a deputy arrived at the home, the landlord told him that she had bumped him and grabbed his wrists to prevent him from closing the gate. The man said he keeps the gate closed to keep his dogs from getting out. The woman, who smelled strongly of alcohol, denied bumping the landlord, but insisted it was illegal for her landlord to unplug her RV. After informing both parties the power situation was a civil matter, the woman was arrested for misusing 911 and bumping her landlord.
NOV. 13
PLOT FOIL
10:40 a.m. — Intersection of Walnut Avenue ad Avocado Boulevard, Bunnell Drug possession, remove evidence. A Sheriff’s Office deputy on patrol stopped three men riding bicycles because they had ran a stop sign at the intersection, according to an arrest report. After letting them go with a warning, the deputy noticed tin foil containing drug residue on the ground next to where the men were.
The deputy reviewed his patrol car’s camera and found footage of one of them discreetly removing the foil from his pocket and tossing it on the ground away from him once the deputy stopped them, the report said. The man was taken to jail.
†Benefit(s)
Make yourself at home
The little raisin that could
‘Are we trying to rehydrate a
grape?’
At first, he thought it was an accident, perhaps a sibling’s snack time gone awry, but then, it occurred to him that it might have been done on purpose.
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
“Are we trying to rehydrate a grape?” he asked, amazed that even this small amount of effort had been expended by someone — anyone — in the pursuit of something so obviously destined to fail.
Then my wife, Hailey, said, with a supreme amount of compassion and a tiny bit of scolding, “Luke, I told you it wouldn’t work.”
the bottom.
Luke, 6, remained silent, with a sheepish grin on his face, slinking into the shadows to avoid further attention.
His reaction made me wonder about his motivation. Was this raisin-in-the-water an act of scientific discovery, to be celebrated, or was it an act of puerile curiosity, akin to my elementary school cafeteria schtick of mixing up everyone’s leftovers into Gross-Out Stew?
As Jackson and Hailey examined the raisin in the kitchen, Grant, 18, was scrolling on his phone on a couch nearby. Without look-
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
ing up, he mumbled, “The law of commutative property.” (Later explained: Grape - water = raisin; therefore, Raisin + water = grape.)
About a day later, Luke was vindicated. Since the raisin-in-a-bowl remained in the sink, Grant encountered it yet again. With amused respect, he announced to the family: “Turns out, Luke’s raisin looks more like a grape than a raisin.”
That got Hailey’s attention.
“What?!?” she said, rushing into the kitchen to see for herself. “Weird!” she said.
“It feels — like a gross grape. Who knew?”
“Apparently Luke did,” Grant said, beaming with sibling pride.
Luke was no longer the food waster, the mess maker, the little kid who didn’t know any better. Instead, he was the celebrity scientist, Luke the wise, the little man who wouldn’t listen to the naysayers for nothing.
Luke later agreed to discard the grape-turned-raisinturned-”grape” — a great sacrifice considering it was our family’s only known evidence of the commutative property of grapes.
Palm Coast should pay to remedy residents’ drainage problems
Dear Editor:
This “solution” remedy for the drainage problem for the P section residents is insane!
Isn’t the city considerate offering 5 cubic yards of dirt? The homeowners have to pick it up and place it in their yards. If they need machinery, to place the dirt, the residents are required to pay $82 for a permit for regrading. And what happens if you have elderly people that can’t shovel the dirt onto their trucks? What happens to the people that don’t have pickup trucks? This is the most ridiculous fix I have ever heard of. Once again, it’s because the city lets anybody build and lets the builders do what they want.
YOUR TOWN
Rotary
Club of Flagler County hosts 988 Suicide Awareness Walk
The Rotary Club of Flagler County hosted a 988 Suicide Awareness Walk on Nov. 15 at Central Park in Town Center.
The gathering promoted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which provides 24-hour free and confidential support for people in distress, facing mental health struggles or just need someone to talk to.
Rotary Club of Flagler County members Maralee Walsh, Derrick Hardin and Marcus Duffy were among
I agree with resident Jeremy Davis 100%. I feel for these people. Like he says, the residents shouldn’t have to pay for anything since this was a problem caused by city staff and builders. The technical manual didn’t have any regulations about how much higher than a neighboring home the new build could be. They have a change to the
requirements now, but what good does it do the residents that have the problem now? The city should pay to remedy their problem. Five cubic yards is ridiculous. I agree with Ed Danko that these homes are going to require a much bigger fix and then two members on the Residential Drainage Advisory Committee suggested programs
the organizers of the event. Partner organizations set up booths. Fifty yard signs with information about the 988 lifeline were distributed to participants.
Rotarian Sandra Shank and
Club President/Elect Michelle Bartlome spoke during a brief ceremony before the walk around the lake at Central Park.
The Flagler Beach Rotary Club held a similar walk in
September. The two local clubs secured a Rotary District grant to fund promotional materials, purple T-shirts for walk participants, permits and permanent signs with 988 info that they plan to place around Flagler County.
“There is a big emphasis around the community to build awareness about the lifeline,” Hardin said. “We want people to know they are not alone. It’s just a phone call away to talk to someone.”
Italian
American Social
Club at Palm Coast celebrates 50th anniversary
The Italian American Social Club at Palm Coast celebrated its 50th anniversary on Nov. 9 at its clubhouse. With over 200 members and guests in attendance, it was an evening of glamour, sparkle and all-around joy.
Club President Walter Teper opened the evening with the Italian national anthem, the U.S. national anthem and an invocation. Palm Coast City Council member Charles Gambaro presented a proclamation from Mayor David Alfin in honor of the club’s 50th anniversary. The club was formed on Nov. 20, 1974 as an association. The club’s first elections were held in June, 1975. On March 25, 1977, the club was incorporated. In December 1979, the club purchased a parcel of land on Old Kings Road from ITT Community Development Corp. The grand opening of the clubhouse was held in June, 1981.
From 1976 to 2014 the Italian American Social Club at Palm Coast held an annual Festa featuring food, pastries, rides and games.
Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com
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that can help them. So then they have to deal with these programs to help them when the city should fix it.
Committee Chair Donna Stancel says they’re still looking for other solutions. That does no good for the people now!
PAT STASIO Palm Coast
The Kingdom Choir to perform at the Fitz on Dec. 7
The Kingdom Choir, the internationally renowned vocal gospel group that captured hearts worldwide at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, will perform at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center in Palm Coast on Dec. 7.
Use SING10 at checkout for $10 off. Group discounts and special offers for local church choirs are available through the director. Contact Amelia Fulmer at FulmerA@flaglerschools.com. For more information, call 386-338-5388
Under the direction of founder and conductor Karen Gibson, The Kingdom Choir delivers a blend of contemporary gospel, soul and pop music infused with a message of hope and unity. Their rendition of “Stand by Me” at the royal wedding catapulted the choir to international fame, and they have since performed to sold-out audiences across the globe. The choir’s recording of “Stand By Me” went straight to the top of the Billboard charts and they released a full-length recording on Sony Music.
Amelia Fulmer, director of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, said: “With 17 voices and a full band, you will hear popular top 40 songs and holiday favorites,”
The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School, offers state-of-theart acoustics and an intimate atmosphere.
Students complete Life Skills training through Inspiration of Hope Community Resources, Inc.
Inspiration of Hope Community Resources, Inc. administered another Life Skills training course for middle and high school students in Flagler County. The seven-week course was led by Dr. Timothy King from Flagler College and held after school at the George Washington Carver Center in Bunnell. Participants were awarded a certificate with community service hours and earned a monetary stipend.
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The course focused on essential life skills such as communication, finances, goal setting, career exploration and problem solving. Participants learned to express themselves clearly and work effectively with others. Financial literacy topics introduced budgeting, savings and financial planning. New sessions will begin in February at the Flagler County Youth Center on the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School. To register, email Inspiration of Hope President Donna Easterling at IOHCR125@gmail.com or call 386-585-3450.
Operation Christmas Child seeks gift donations
The Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child, is seeking donations. Residents can pack a shoebox filled with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items and drop them off now during National Collection Week, Nov. 18–25. There are more than 4,700 drop-off locations open around the country, including First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway NW; and Coquina Presbyterian Church (PCA), 2085 W. Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach. Drop off hours at First Baptist are at 2-5 p.m. Nov. 18-19 and 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 20-25. At PCA, drop-offs are
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more
The Rotary Club of Flagler County hosted a 988 Suicide Awareness Walk on Nov. 15 at Central Park in Town Center. Photo by Brent Woronoff
My 20-year-old son, Jackson, discovered something odd on the kitchen counter the other night: a purple plastic bowl, half full of water, with a single raisin resting sadly at
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YOUR NEIGHBORS
Flagler County Education Foundation celebrates 14th annual JDC Gala
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Flagler County Education Foundation hosted its 14th annual JDC Gala in jungle-style to celebrate the Flagler County students who participate in the Josh Crews Writing Project and the man who inspired it all.
The gala is traditionally themed after famous books, and the 2024 gala was themed after “The Jungle Book.” Held at The Ranch on County Road 200 on Nov. 15, the gala was held outdoors with a bonfire, tiki torch lights, a jungle cruise ride on a monster truck, a buffet and a silent auction.
The gala and writing project were created in honor of Josh Crews, a local Flagler County resident and Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate who died in a car accident in 2010. Crews was an avid reader and writer.
Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo said they had about 200 children, from 4th to 12th grade, participate.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Rizzo said.
Former School Board member Colleen Conklin was at the gala, dressed as a safari guide and said she tries to attend the gala every year. She said she met Josh Crews through former Education Foundation Executive Director Joe Rizzo when he and Crews co-owned Woody’s Bar-B-Q.
“[Crews] was just a great man, good soul, and he was an excellent writer,” Conklin said. “His passion was writing.”
Joe Rizzo and Carla Cline worked together to create the Josh Crews Writing Project and the end-ofthe-year JDC Gala. Joe Rizzo died in 2022 and his wife, Teresa Rizzo, has stepped up in his absence.
“I think they [Joe Rizzo and Cline] thought this was the best way to honor [Crews’] legacy,” Conklin said. Now, she said, the gala keeps both Crews’ and Rizzo’s memories alive.
The writing project, she said, exposes school children to what it’s like to have their work published in a book that their families can buy. The students who participate in the project write anything from fiction, realistic-fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
“Some go on to write and become professional, published authors,” Conklin said. “So it’s an incredible opportunity.”
Cline and Rizzo said Crews’ family picks the theme every year. At first, Cline said, the gala was a family affair for the Crews’ loved ones.
“It was like a reunion of Josh every year,” Cline said. “And then instead of just having a party, you’re sup-
From left to right: Indian Trails Middle School Principal Ryan Andrews, School Board member Derek Barrs, Palm Coast Council member Ty Miller, Erin Andrews and Jaclyn Miller. Photo by Sierra Williams
Carla Cline and Teresa Rizzo at the 2024 JDC Gala.
Rich Cooper and Nancy Kusy
Chiumento Law employees Lacy Martin and Diane Vidal.
Former Flagler County School Board member Colleen Conklin with her cousin Cathy Goldsmith.
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY,
FLAGLER
When
Where
Details
ment
GALLERY
be delivered to the winners’ homes or businesses.
ALL ABOUT RIGHT WHALES
When: 5-6 p.m.
Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Terran McGinnis, resident biologist at Marineland Dolphin Adventure, will speak about the North Atlantic right whales. Free admission. Reservations required. Call 386-317-9400.
ORMOND BEACH
DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Election results will be examined and ways to effectively move forward discussed. Input from members and like-minded guests will be encouraged and welcomed. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.
FRIDAY, NOV. 22
4TH ANNUAL SEAN ‘POOH’ HENDERSON MEMORIAL RODEO
When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23
Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell
Details: Presented by 4-H and FFA Livestock, there will be ranch bronc riding, wild cow milking and bull riding. Gates open at 5 p.m. and
the rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 at the gate; kids 10 and under are free. For tickets and more information call 386-585-0784 or 386-864-9611.
SATURDAY, NOV. 23
STORYBOOK VILLAGE
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia’s second annual Storybook Village will honor Laura Numeroff, author of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Dress up as your favorite child-friendly book character. Visit elcfv.org/volusiastorybook-village.
NINTH ANNUAL FLORIDA TINY HOME FESTIVAL
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23 and 24
Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast
Details: The United Tiny House Association will have tiny and micro
homes on display, and have workshops, vendors and more. Visit unitedtinyhouse.com/florida-tinyhouse-festival/.
ISLAND FEST 7
When: 12-9 p.m.
Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast
Details: This year’s event features live music by Hector Roots, Alex Marley paying tribute to the Bob Marley and the Bahamas Junkanoo International. There will also be food vendors and a kid zone.
MONDAY, NOV. 25
YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
When: 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Children ages 7-12 are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a sleeping bag for an evening at the museum. Craft-making, pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate and screenings of two movies. Costs $25 for
members; $28 for nonmembers. Registration required.
THURSDAY, NOV. 28
THANKSGIVING
FEET TO FEAST 5K
When: 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Daytona State College Flagler/Palm Coast, 3000 Palm Coast
Parkway SE, Palm Coast
Details: Before you feast this Thanksgiving, take part in this timed 5K run/walk. Dress up to participate in the costume contest. Registration costs $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the race. Student registration costs $20. Visit runsignup.com/ Race/FL/PalmCoast/FeettoFeast5k.
THANKSGIVING HAPPENINGS
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Hammock Beach Resort & Spa, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast
Details: Hammock Beach Resort’s Thanksgiving Buffet is open to all, hosted in the Ocean Ballroom. Buffet costs $84 for guests, $68 for members and $25 for ages 4-12. Reservations required. Call 386-246-5676.
School Board agrees to extension
Hunter’s Ridge developer has until Dec. 15 to fully comply with the impact fee credit agreement.
The Flagler County School Board agreed to a second amendment to its impact fee credit agreement with the developer of Hunter’s Ridge. New board member Derek Barrs warned there won’t be a third.
U.S. Capital Alliance LLC
Manager Glen Fishman requested an extension to Dec. 15 to pay the amount owed of 1,344,100 plus 6% interest
BIZ BUZZ
New ‘top dog’ takes over at Hot Diggity Dogs in Bunnell
The 40-year-old Hot Diggity Dogs & BBQ in Bunnell has been purchased by David Zummo and renamed to Hot Diggity Dogs & Shakes.
Zummo took over management of the restaurant, located at 1001 S. State St., on Oct.
1. Hot Diggity Dogs has been in operation since 1984 and serves classic comfort food, including specialty hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, milkshakes and more, according to a press release.
He may have changed the restaurant’s name, but the restaurant still serves familiar favorites such as grilled hot dogs and milkshakes, the press release said.
“We continue to be committed to offering great food and expanding our menu to meet the needs of our community,” Zummo said.
($69,000).
The first amendment in August called for U.S. Capital Alliance to pay $500,000 by Aug. 23, which the school district received and the remaining $1,413,100 by Oct. 31. Fishman asked the board for an extension at its Nov. 12 workshop to pay all fees and interest.
As the board discussed the amended agreement, Barrs said, “We’re not going to continue down this road any further after this.”
A week after the second amendment was discussed, Fishman said he is still very comfortable with making the Dec. 15 deadline.
U.S. Captial Alliance agreed on May 16, 2022 to pay Flagler Schools $3 million relating to the part of the Hunter’s Ridge
development in south Flagler County. Of that amount, $2 million was for impact fee credits with $1 million paid as a donation in return for Flagler Schools consenting to the developer’s notice of a proposed change to terminate its obligation to provide the district with a 45-acre school site.
The developer made payments of $534,600 on June 20, 2022, and $621,300 on May 11, 2023, totaling $1,155,900 with the remainder of the $3 million due by Nov. 16, 2023.
If the developer does not meet the deadline, the school district could request that Flagler County cease issuance of permits or approvals for the project until the developer comes into full compliance.
Zummo is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has extensive experience in the food industry, the press release said, and has past experience as an owner and operator of various food-related businesses. Zummo’s flagship cafe coffee house named The Latte Lounge was a favorite in Oneonta, New York.
Hot Diggity Dogs & Shakes is open seven days a week 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It can be reached at 386-437-0990 or via its new website at: http://www.hotdiggitydogsandshakes.com/.
Retirement journal ranks Palm Coast as the top retirement city in Florida
Retirement Living has named Palm Coast the best city in which to retire in Florida in 2024. The journal cited Palm Coast’s high percentage of residents aged 65 and over and affordable home prices.
Though Zummo plans to introduce new ideas to the iconic local restaurant, the core menu and welcoming atmosphere will remain largely unchanged as he also wants to maintain the quality and customer experience that have been essential to the restaurant’s success.
The article says Palm Coast “stands out with 30.1% of its population aged 65 and older — the highest in our study. Retirees are drawn to Palm Coast’s relaxing blend of safe, comfortable neighborhoods, sandy beaches and pristine natural beauty.”
The article ranked the top 10 retirement destinations in Florida with Daytona Beach ranked No. 4 and Deltona ranked No. 9. Number 2 on the list in Cape Coral.
The section on Palm Coast goes on to say that the city offers a variety of activities including fishing, boating, tennis, golf and hiking.
“Nature lovers can also enjoy bird-watching or dolphinspotting along the city’s wellmaintained wildlife trails,” the article says.
The article says Daytona Beach offers “one of the most
affordable retirement options in Florida, with the second-lowest median home sale price and rent in our study ($272,500 median home sale price, $1,287 median rent).”
To read the article go to https://www.retirementliving. com/best-cities-to-retireflorida#h-1-palm-coast-florida.
Attorney Michael Chiumento III awarded 2025 AV Preeminent
Attorney rating
Chiumento Law’s managing partner Michael D. Chiumento III was awarded the 2025 AV Preeminent Attorney rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
The award recognizes Chiumento’s outstanding legal abilities, high ethical standards, and unwavering dedication to client success, a Chiumento Law press release said. The rating is the highest peer rating standard in the legal industry, “signifying that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.”
“We are incredibly proud of Michael’s well-deserved recognition,” Chiumento Law partner Diane Vidal said. “His commitment to excellence and genuine care for his clients have set the benchmark for our firm.”
Chiumento achievement highlights over three decades of dedicated service to the community and the legal profession, with experience in real estate, business law, estate planning, and complex civil litigation. His experience has earned him both respect and admiration from clients and colleagues, the press release said.
(parts
New owner David Zummo out front at Hot Diggity Dogs & Shakes. Courtesy photo
Michael D. Chiumento III
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Hammock Beach home tops sales list at $1.2M
Ahome at 494 Sweetgum Lane in Hammock Beach was the top real estate transaction for Nov. 2-8 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The home sold on Nov. 6, for $1,250,000. Built in 2023, the home is a 4/3 and has a three-car garage, a pool with a fountain and spa, and 3,045 square feet.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Condos
The condo at 80 Surfview Drive, Unit 215, sold on Nov. 4, for $549,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,640 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $615,000.
The condo at 5 Riverview Bend, Unit 322, sold on Nov. 6, for $240,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,461 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $300,000.
The condo at 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Unit B224, sold on Nov. 6, for $235,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,125 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $220,000.
The condo at 4600 E. Moody Blvd., Unit 13C, sold on Nov. 4, for $86,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 1/1 and has 781 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $59,000.
PALM COAST
Palm Harbor
The house at 6 Chestnut Court sold on Nov. 5, for
$950,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/3 and has a boat lift, a pool and 2,895 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $899,000.
The house at 11 Claymont Court N. sold on Nov. 7, for $735,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/3 and has a screened-in porch and 2,278 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $485,000.
Ocean Hammock
The house at 33 Cinnamon Beach Way sold on Nov. 8, for $945,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 4/4 and has an oceanfront, heated pool and 2,789 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $971,000.
Palm Coast Plantation
The house at 13 S. Lakewalk Drive sold on Nov. 8, for $885,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 3/3 and has a screened-in lanai, solar heated pool, wood deck and 3,235 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $480,000.
Toscana
The house at 122 New Leatherwood Drive sold on Nov. 4, for $900,000. Built in 2024,
the house is a 4/4 and
Grand
Beach
Indian
Lakeside
Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this
PALM COAST
COMICS
Ziggy
SPORTS
After third down becomes fourth down, Flagler Palm Coast falls to Spruce Creek 36-35 in the regional quarterfinals
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
With 28 seconds left in the Region 1-7A quarterfinal, Flagler Palm Coast quarterback Hayden Hayes was sacked on second down. As the Bulldogs were at the line of scrimmage about to run their third-down play, the officials suddenly had the down marker switched to fourth down.
FPC had no timeouts remaining. Hayes completed a 3-yard pass to Robbie Dailey to the Spruce Creek 25-yard line, 4 yards short of a first down.
Spruce Creek then went into victory formation to complete a 36-35 victory on Friday, Nov. 15, at FPC’s Sal Campanella Memorial Stadium.
The Bulldogs’ season ended with a 9-2 record. Creek (8-3) advanced in the playoffs with a regional semifinal game at Lake Mary next week. Lake Mary, the top seed in the region, defeated DeLand 49-14 on Nov. 15.
WNZF Radio’s video stream of the game seemed to show FPC’s final play should have been third down, not fourth. FPC coach Daniel Fish said he was not given an explanation for the switch.
“He told me to shut the (heck) up and get back on the sideline. He would not speak to me about it,” Fish said.
The officials were from the Lakeland Officials Association, appointed to the game by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
On second down, Hayes tried throwing the ball away, but he was ruled down for a 6-yard loss. There was no penalty on the play. The officials marked the ball at the 28 where Hayes was tackled.
“They cheated us out of that one,” FPC running back Marcus Mitchell said. “They really did cheat us. It was second down and they said Hayden got sacked. So we called a timeout. So they moved it to third down, and all of a sudden all the refs have fourth down written down on their little notepads, ‘quotation marks,’ and it was history.”
With 37 seconds left, Mitchell caught a 12-yard pass to the 31-yard line to give the Bulldogs a first down. Hayes connected with Mitchell again for a 9-yard pass to the 22 with 30.6
Sudden death
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Was FPC’s final offensive play third down or fourth?
WNZF’s announcers thought it should have been third down. You can go to Flagler Radio’s video stream of the game at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=-PvfEydV3O4 and watch the whole game or go directly to the final sequence and decide for yourself.
seconds left setting up secondand-1, where Hayes was sacked.
“I don’t understand it,” Fish said. “They changed it (to fourth down) after they started rolling the play clock. So we had to roll. We had no timeouts left. We wouldn’t have had enough time to get the (field goal) team out there.”
If the officials had not changed third down to fourth, the Bulldogs, after Dailey’s catch, would have had a fourth-and-4 at the 25 where they could have tried a long field goal, throw for the end zone or go for a quick first down with 11.8 seconds remaining.
“When they turned it to fourth (down), I was like, ‘what is going on?’ said FPC defensive end Colby Cronk, who was watching the sequence unfold from the sidelines.
“I thought they were going to change it back, because I was 100% sure it was third down. I mean, that changes the whole game. Eight more yards and our our kicker can make the field goal and we win the game. It’s just just crazy.”
Three weeks ago on the same field, the Hawks fell to the Bulldogs, 50-39. This time, Spruce Creek trailed 28-6 at the half, but the Hawks outscored the Bulldogs 30-7 in the second half.
Creek tied the score at 28-28 late in the third quarter on PJ Miller’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Denali Campbell and Miller’s 2-point conversion run.
FPC went ahead 35-28 with 9:24 left in the game with Mitchell scoring on a 1-yard run. Cronk lined up at fullback on the play, clearing the way for Mitchell to score his third touchdown of the game.
Creek, however, took the lead for the first time with 1:33 left as Anthony Hayden caught a screen
pass and broke two tackles on the way to a 30-yard touchdown. Campbell completed the 2-point conversion pass to Kam Chamble to put the Hawks ahead 36-35.
“They made good adjustments, and I think we got a little bit complacent,” Fish said. “But both sides performed well.”
After the game, a teary-eyed Fish told his players they had so much to be proud of this season, going 9-2 and making the playoffs a year after they went 3-7 in Fish’s first season.
“I’m so proud of this group,” he said. “I mean, it was an amazing turnaround. They established the culture and they made history this year. And I just hate that they had to go out that way.
“When you go 3-7, no matter what the reasons are, it’s hard to build a culture and get the kids to listen to you,” Fish said. “They had so many coaching changes and I come in and we have one of the worst years in a long time. And I lay out this plan and tell them, ‘If we do this, we’re going to shock everybody next year. We’re going to have a great year. We’ll make history.’ And for them to buy into that and lead and to do everything they’re asked to do, and then come down and play an amazing team again, and for some reason, it just doesn’t go your way — that’s the disappointing part. But they will always have a special place in my heart.”
Mitchell ended his high school career as FPC’s all-time rushing leader, while Cronk broke the Bull dogs’ career sacks record, and Hayes broke the single-season passing records for yards and touchdowns.
“It was real real good turnaround this year. It was awesome, but it
shouldn’t have ended right there,” Cronk said.
Cronk revealed that he played the entire season with a torn labrum. He plans to have surgery before beginning his college career next year at North Carolina State.
FPC’s Braylyn “Juice” Simmons looks for running room after making a catch.
Marcus Mitchell scored three touchdowns in the game. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC quarterback Hayden Hayes runs out of the pocket.
FPC tight end Roman Caliendo gains yards after making a catch.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Locals shine at Super Girl
A few girls from Matanzas, Flagler Palm Coast and Seabreeze represented Volusia and Flagler counties at the U.S. Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro on Nov. 8-10 at Jacksonville Beach. Matanzas’ Camryn Greiner, Mia Apfelbach and Paityn Lawrence and FPC’s Ashley McPhail helped their team finish first in the beach lacrosse tournament.
The Volusia County Ocean Rescue Lifeguard team of Seabreeze’s Mackenzie OKeefe, Mackenzie Nichols and Addie Smurdon and Matanzas’ McKenzie Manhart took first place in the Surf Lifesaving Competition.. Super Bowl sweep
All four Flagler Bulldogs were victorious Nov. 10 in the MidFlorida Football and Cheer Conference Super Bowl in New Smyrna Beach.
The 6U team won 15-12, the 8U team won 13-0, the undefeated 10U team won 32-0 win and the 12U won 1912. The 10U team advances to nationals. The Bulldogs have set up a Go Fund Me page at https://gofund.me/b9d8a3e1 to help to cover expenses.
Mixed bag for new basketball coaches
Two of four new basketball coaches won their openers on Monday, Nov. 18. Coach Zykia McNair’s Mainland girls team defeated Pine Ridge 48-24, and Asti Tucker’s Calvary Christian Academy boys team defeated Titusville High School 51-33. Flagler Palm Coast with new coach Greg Shirley, and Matanzas with new coach Eric Guerrero, fell to a pair of high quality programs.
FPC lost 50-30 to Raines of Jacksonville in front of a Bulldogs home crowd. Matanzas traveled to Ponte Vedra and led by one at the half before succumbing to the Sharks’ superior depth, 77-59.
Nateshawn Royal was the only player to score in double figures for
the Bulldogs with 16 points. Shirley was pleased with FPC’s defense.
“We held Raines, which is a very high scoring team, to 50 points,” he said.
FPC trailed 37-27 after three quarters, but Raines outscored the home team 13-3 in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs will be getting help from football players R.J. Watson, Braylyn Simmons and Roman Caliendo, Shirley said.
“I believe we’re going to figure it out. And I think this team will continue to grow throughout the year,” he said.
Six-foot-9 center Alex Davis led Matanzas with 27 points and 15 rebounds while holding 6-8 forward Trace Westercamp to four points, including two huge blocked shots.
Freshman Jemel Guerrero added 12 points, while Ladarien Baker grabbed 11 rebounds.
Ledaruen Wiggins led Calvary with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Ten players scored for the Lions.
Email brent@observerlocalnews.com
Matanzas AD
Butler to step down
Matanzas athletic director Jordan Butler is stepping down to take a job with Baker’s Sports. Butler has been the Pirates’ AD since July, 2021. Before that he was the director of the Flagler County Youth Center for two years and was the head baseball coach at Flagler Palm Coast from 2012 to 2019.
“Matanzas is a great place. I’ve really enjoyed my time here, but an opportunity came up where I was able to work from home and spend more time with my family,” he said. “I talked it over my wife. It was a tough decision, but I decided it was time to step away.”
Butler, who has two young daughters, said with his new position he’ll be getting his nights and weekends back.
“One night I got home to put my 6-year-old daughter to bed, and she said, ‘I like when you’re home, because you’re never home,’” Butler said. “It’s a tough job. It requires a lot.” Matanzas has been advertising for a new AD since Nov. 6. Butler said he will remain with the school until January, so he can help the new AD with the transition.
“The last thing I want to do is leave Matanzas hanging and leave my coaches hanging,” he said.
Fletcher 10th at state golf
Seabreeze senior Riley Fletcher finished tied for 10th at the Class 2A state golf championships Nov. 15-16 at the Mission Inn Resort & Club Las Colinas Course in Howeyin-the-Hills. Fletcher shot 76-76—152.
FPC’s Jasiah Sanders (1) battles Raines’ Adrian Brown under the basket. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Jack Wronowski takes a shot over Raines’ Jesus Rice.
Flagler Palm Coast girls place third at state cross country championships
Peyton Cerasi paced the Bulldogs, breaking her own school record and placing seventh in the Class 4A race.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
With the addition of highly touted freshman Peyton Cerasi, Flagler Palm Coast’s coaches and runners knew they would have a special girls cross country team this year.
The Bulldogs were even better than expected. FPC placed third at the Class 4A state championships Saturday, Nov. 16, at Appalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. It was their best finish in program history. Their previous best was eighth place.
“They were pegged to be fifth or sixth,” FPC head coach David Halli-
day said. “The girls have just had an amazing season. It was a real transformation on how they approached competition. And it really shone through today and this whole weekend. They seemed to have as much fun and be as focused as they have ever been. I think it’s a true testament to the hard work and goals they have set since the summer.”
Cerasi shattered her own school record with a time of 18:19.2 in the 5K to place seventh overall. Her previous best was 18:34.6 at the Region 1-4A meet a week earlier. She beat out last year’s state champ, Creekside’s Alyson Johnson, who placed eighth.
“Peyton ran an amazing race,”
Halliday said. “It’s one of the hardest courses in Florida, and she destroyed her PR, again setting a new school record.”
Three other FPC runners broke 20
minutes: Arianna Slaughter (19:15.3, 32nd place), Bella Tarsitano (19:37.7, 54th place) and Cassidy De Young (19:51.4, 64th place). Tarsitano broke 19 minutes for the first time.
Creekside and Gainesville Buchholz placed first and second in the team standings. Creekside, Buchholz and FPC placed first, second and third in the district, region and state meets.
Spruce Creek’s Mackenzie Roy won the individual title by 35 seconds with a blazing time of 17:19.5.
The former Seabreeze runner ran the fifth fastest 5K time in any girls state final at Appalachee Park. Roy’s twin sister, Arianna, placed fifth in the girls 4A race with a time of 18:15.4.
Halliday said his runners cried after the race partly because it was their last race together with seniors Tarsitano, De Young, Madison Lagarde and Taylor Novak graduat-
ing and partly because they didn’t reach their ultimate goal of overtaking Buchholz for runner-up honors.
“Even though third was amazing, they were hungry,” Halliday said. “We set up a plan to go for Buchholz. We were really close.”
It was the first time in 15 years that the FPC girls qualified for the state championships, which shows how strong the Bulldogs’ district and region are year after year.
“We’ve always been in the toughest region and always been on the outside looking in,” he said. “We were always one of the better teams that didn’t make it. In the COVID year we were sixth, but they only took four teams (per region instead of the usual eight). In 2022, we were the best team in any region in any classification not to make it.”
BOYS RESULTS
FPC’s boys team finished 26th at the Class 4A championships. Buchholz won the team title with senior Gino Palazzolo also winning the individual title with a time of 15:23.6. Jevin Luna led the Bulldogs with a time of 16:54.1 for 80th place. Braedyn Wormeck finished in 17:12.9 (124th) and Brant Tarsitano ran in 17:16.6 (132nd).
In the Class 3A boys race, Matanzas junior Blaine Vogel placed 44th with a time of 16:40.8, just four-tenths of a second off his PR. Seabreeze junior Hunter Shuler placed 55th with a PR time of 16:50.4. The Sandcrabs placed 31st in the team standings. Marcelo Mantecon led Belen Jesuit to the Class 3A boys title with the best time of the day — 14:57.8, one second off the overall state championship record.
Matanzas’ Parkinson, Crews are lifting themselves as they set record lifts
‘(Weightlifting) is empowering ... being able to push myself past limits that I didn’t think I could,’ Parkinson said.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Two Matanzas High School athletes who are in their second season on the girls weightlifting team are breaking school records.
Ryann Parkinson, the Pirates’ 101-pounder, set two team records in a home dual meet against DeLand on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The senior broke the snatch record with a 70-pound lift and the Olympic total record at 170 pounds. Her 100-pound clean and jerk was just 10 pounds short of matching the record of 110 set by Jaden Marsala in 2020.
Jordyn Crews, the Pirates’
139-pounder, broke two school records and tied another against DeLand. She set the snatch record at 110 pounds and the Olympic total record at 255 and tied Karissa Jackson’s clean and jerk record set in 2022 of 145 pounds. Parkinson used to be on the wrestling team but switched to weightlifting last year.
“It’s just a different environment. It’s more personalized,” she said.
“Especially in wrestling when you’re going out fighting someone, it’s a lot more stressful. In weightlifting, what you put in, you get out. So, if you spend extra hours in the practice room, you’ll see the results on the platform.”
Crews, a junior, was on the weightlifting team as a freshman but stepped away last year to concentrate on softball. Now that she’s back, she’s motivated than ever.
“I missed it so much,” she said. “I missed the team. I missed the enjoyment of being like, ‘Wow, I just lifted
that weight.’”
Crews said she was proud of herself for succeeding on the three record lifts as well as setting another personal record, 125 on the bench press.
“It took me a while to get 125,” she said. “And for the snatch where I got 110, sometimes I would have technical difficulties, but I finally got it.”
Parkinson said she worked hard over the summer on her form and technique and the results are starting to pay off.
“I think (weightlifting) is empowering being a young woman, especially my size, and being able to push myself past limits that I didn’t think I could,” she said.
Crews’ main goal is to advance to regional and state competition. She said her parents provide her with inspiration.
“Every time I look in the stands, and I see them, they really help me push up that weight. They inspire me, they motivate me,” she said.
The future is bright for Bulldogs sophomore weightlifter Nya Williams
Williams set four school records in the 119-pound weight class and is on the precipice of breaking the final record for that class.
ASSOCIATE
When Flagler Palm Coast High School sophomore Nya Williams set four school records at the Bulldogs’ girls weightlifting meet on Wednesday, Nov. 13, her cousin, Brianna Tucker, was the judge for Williams’ platform. Tucker was the reason Williams joined the weightlifting team as an incoming freshman.
“I remember looking up to her a lot and thinking of her as an inspiration, and I was like, ‘I want to do that too. It seems cool,’” Williams said.
Williams said she lifted a weight for the first time in June 2023 at the start of coach Duane Hagstrom’s summer program. About eight months later, she placed in both events — fifth in Olympic competition, seventh in traditional — at the Class 3A state championships.
She is just the fourth FPC girls weightlifter to win a state medal as a freshman.
“I kind of knew she was special about halfway through the year last year,” Hagstrom said. “She made significant progress really fast.”
Williams moved up this year from the 110-pound weight class to 119 pounds. In the Nov. 13 home meet, FPC won both competitions against Palatka, Menendez and Father Lopez, and Williams set school records in the snatch (130 pounds), clean and jerk (175 pounds), Olympic total (305 pounds) and traditional total (315 pounds).
The only 119-pound record she doesn’t have is bench press. Her 140-pound bench is just five pounds short of the record. She plans to match or surpass that at The Villages Invitational on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Williams said she would like to win a state championship before she graduates in 2027. Hagstrom said she has a good chance to win a state title this season in the Olympic competition.
“She’s definitely going to be in the top two or three,” he said.
When Williams snatched 130 in front of her cousin, Tucker had lifted 135 in the snatch at state as a senior
“I kind of knew she was special about halfway through the year last year. She made significant progress really fast.”
HAGSTROM, FPC weightlifting coach
DUANE
two years ago in the 129-pound class. Hagstrom told her that her younger cousin is “getting ready to outdo you.”
“I know it,” Tucker answered.
While Williams has been making it all look easy, she said there are always rough stretches.
“The hardest thing is probably understanding that nothing’s going to happen in an instant,” she said.
“You have to trust the process. Nothing’s going to be immediate, nothing’s going to come in a heartbeat. You have to keep going and realize that this is for the long run.
You have to keep working to get what you want.”
Williams said she is excited to see how far the Bulldogs can advance as a team.
“I feel like this year is going to be a big accomplishment for us,” she said.
“Even if we don’t place (at state), I feel like it’s going to be a good head start where we can continue to grow.” Williams has the future in her sights. She is in interested in majoring in sports management and is looking at East Tennessee State University. She wants to continue to compete in weightlifting after she graduates with the ultimate goal of making it to the Olympics.
“It’s a dream of mine,” she said.
“She’s very determined,” Hagstrom said. “When she sets her mind to something she’s going to get it done. She’s that kind of kid in all aspects. She’s an awesome student, she’s a leader, she takes charge. I mean, she’s all around. She’s just a good kid from top to bottom.”
The Flagler Palm Coast girls cross country team placed third at the Class 4A championships.
Matanzas record-setting weightlifters Ryann Parkinson (left) and Jordyn Crews.
Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC weightlifter Nya Williams set four school records in the 119-pound weight class. Photo by Brent Woronoff
IMPACT
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR)
may submit written comments on the ERR to Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1329, Attention: Ms. Angeliki Sellers or via e-mail at ERRComments@floridahousing.org. All comments received by December 6, 2024, will be considered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The Florida Housing Finance Corporation certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that Ms. Angeliki Sellers, in her capacity as Chief Financial Officer with delegated Certifying Officer duties of the FHFC, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorizes and allows FHFC to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; (b) the Florida Housing Finance Corporation has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grand recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections for HOME funding must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Ms. Tonya R. Madison, CPD Representative, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Community Planning & Development Division, Jacksonville Field Office, 400 W. Bay Street, Suite 1015, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Objections to the use of Project Based Vouchers must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Janice Rodriquez, Director, Office of Public and Indian Housing, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and sent via email to janice.rodriquez@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Jacksonville Field Office via email to Tonya.R.Madison@hud.gov or Janice.Rodriguez@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Ms. Angeliki Sellers, Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Nov. 21/28 Dec. 5 24-00446F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 6:00 P.M. on the 3rd day of December 2024, for the purpose of hearing Ordinance 2024-XX, before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2024-XX AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163.3177, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF CONSISTENCY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this Ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E.
6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with
needing assistance to
should
City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours
to the
NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105,
Notice
of the
Grand Haven
District (the “
5,
of
that
FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is November 21, 2024. Personal Representative: Andrew Howard Sultan 16 Zeolite Place Palm Coast, Florida 32164 Attorney for Personal Representative: Diane A. Vidal, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1008324 CHIUMENTO LAW 145 City Place, Suite 301 Palm Coast, FL 32164 Telephone: (386) 445-8900 Fax: (386) 445-6702 E-Mail: DVidal@legalteamforlife.com
Secondary E-Mail: Proserv@legalteamforlife.com November 21, 28, 2024 24-00276G
of
at 9:00 a.m. at the Creekside Amenity Center, 2 North Village Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss any topics presented to the board for consideration. Copies of the agenda may be obtained from the District Manager, Vesta District Services, 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, Telephone (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law for community development districts. The meeting may be continued in progress without additional notice to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. There may be occasions when Staff and/ or Supervisors may participate by speaker telephone.
Pursuant to provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting is asked to advise the District Manager’s office at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting by contacting the District Manager at (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 711, for assistance in contacting the District Manager’s office.
A person
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 000792 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF DARREN ALTORRO DAVIS Deceased.
The administration of the estate of Darren Altorro Davis, deceased, whose date of death was August 8, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is November 21, 2024.
Personal
INSERTION
NOTICE OF SALE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 45 IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 2023-CC-000617 NORTHFIELD HOLDING CORP., d/b/a FLORIDA WINDOW & DOOR, Plaintiff, v. DUDLEY BUCHANAN, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Default Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated November 13, 2024 and entered in Case No. 23-CC-000617 of the County Court of the 7th Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida wherein NORTHFIELD HOLDING CORP. d/b/a FLORIDA WINDOW & DOOR, is the Plaintiff, and DUDLEY BUCHANAN is the Defendant, the Clerk of the Court of the 7th Judicial Circuit, Tom Bexley, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www. flagler.realforeclose.com at 11:00 a.m. on January 31, 2025,
applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: November 14, 2024. REBECCA ROBEAUX Personal Representative 2906 Janet Street Benton, Arkansas 72015 Erik P. Shuman, Esq. Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No. 990681 Gray-Robinson, P.A. P.O. Box 1870 Melbourne, FL 32902 Telephone: (321) 727-8100 Email: erik.shuman@gray-robinson.com
Secondary Email: barbara.shuman@gray-robinson.com November 14, 21, 2024 24-00271G
SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS
SECOND INSERTION
715.109. 1995 TERS TV 1EA4D3925S1465496 . Last Tenants: SUZANNE CLAIRE MORELLI AND ARNOLD DAVID POLK JR and all unknown parties beneficiaries heirs . Sale to be at MHC BULOW PLANTATION LLC, 3345 OLD KINGS RD, FLAGLER BEACH, FL 32136. 813-282-6754. Nov. 14/21 24-00441F
SECOND INSERTION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Notice is hereby given that on 11/29/2024 at 10:30 am, the following mobile home will be sold at public auction pursuant to F.S. 715.109. 1988 HYLI TV 19LBA02R9JA861177 . Last Tenants: KEVIN ROBERT BEDNARCHICK AND ROBERT CARL FLYNN and
Tenants: RACHEL LYNETTE HOLTON AND DEWEY THOMAS HOLTON III and all unknown parties beneficiaries heirs Sale to be at MHC BULOW PLANTATION LLC, 3345 OLD KINGS RD, FLAGLER BEACH, FL 32136. 813-282-6754.
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION Case No. 2022 CA 000361 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. Edward L. Stark, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment and/or Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale, entered in Case No. 2022 CA 000361 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit, in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the Plaintiff and Edward L. Stark; Leslie M. Baker are the Defendants, that Tom Bexley, Flagler County Clerk of Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at, www.flagler.realforeclose.com, beginning at 11:00 AM on the 6th day of December, 2024, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 17, SAM BROWN SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT AT BOOK 8, PAGE 1, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
TAX ID: 14-12-30-5750-000000170 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale,
